If you were moving cross country would you take your flock?

[louie2037]

I'm one of the 33%'ers. My gut reaction would be no, there are too many variables, with "...cross country" being the biggest consideration. How far is cross country? Next, would be whether or not my new location allowed them, or if my new location had enough land for them to live comfortably. At present, we have 16 acres, where our house and part of the side yard are actually in a small city, on a city street, and the adjoining 14.5 acres being "...in the country ." In some respects it's nice because of the city water and electricity; but I get stiffed on taxes big time. (Not to mention I live in New York State.)
The other thing is, while I like my chickens, I don't have the same attachment to them as I do my dog or my cat. Chickens are fun to raise, they're entertaining, funny, and a great hobby; but they're chickens, and serve but one real purpose; eggs while they're still saying, then chicken soup when they quit. That may seem a little cold to some of you who have chickens as "pets", but we've raised beef and pork, some of which is still in the freezer. The cows and pigs were all cute as baby's, and everyone enjoyed feed, watering, and just being around them, but we've all enjoyed eating them even more. So, I guess it all depends on how you view your relationship between yourself, and your animals.
Sorry, but my personal reality is based mostly on Genesis 1:26, "Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground." It is our responsibility to care for those animals that can't care for themselves, and not abuse them, or allow them to be abused. But, some of them are going here simply to proved nutrition for us. Reality sucks.

 

[lovemy6hens]

Post #2 has excellent advice!

 

[dekel18042]

Just thinking out loud here. No matter how you do it, it will be stressful for the flock. Another option to consider might be if you could find someone (or few) locally interested in starting with a flock and then carrying fertile (marked) eggs with you to restart your flock once you get there.
I might try that or take a few favorites with me.
Whoops, did I just mention, many are on my favorite list? I would probably take 12 of 18.

 

[The Howards]

Just thinking out loud here. No matter how you do it, it will be stressful for the flock. Another option to consider might be if you could find someone (or few) locally interested in starting with a flock and then carrying fertile (marked) eggs with you to restart your flock once you get there.
I might try that or take a few favorites with me.
Whoops, did I just mention, many are on my favorite list? I would probably take 12 of 18.

Ha, all are my favorites. Well except for one large SL Cochin roo. He is a beast and not one of my favs. He may have to find a new home around here before we leave. That is a good suggestion with the eggs but all but 5 are different breeds and they vary greatly. It is a consideration though.

I'm one of the 33%'ers. My gut reaction would be no, there are too many variables, with "...cross country" being the biggest consideration. How far is cross country? Next, would be whether or not my new location allowed them, or if my new location had enough land for them to live comfortably. At present, we have 16 acres, where our house and part of the side yard are actually in a small city, on a city street, and the adjoining 14.5 acres being "...in the country ." In some respects it's nice because of the city water and electricity; but I get stiffed on taxes big time. (Not to mention I live in New York State.)
The other thing is, while I like my chickens, I don't have the same attachment to them as I do my dog or my cat. Chickens are fun to raise, they're entertaining, funny, and a great hobby; but they're chickens, and serve but one real purpose; eggs while they're still saying, then chicken soup when they quit. That may seem a little cold to some of you who have chickens as "pets", but we've raised beef and pork, some of which is still in the freezer. The cows and pigs were all cute as baby's, and everyone enjoyed feed, watering, and just being around them, but we've all enjoyed eating them even more. So, I guess it all depends on how you view your relationship between yourself, and your animals.
Sorry, but my personal reality is based mostly on Genesis 1:26, "Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground." It is our responsibility to care for those animals that can't care for themselves, and not abuse them, or allow them to be abused. But, some of them are going here simply to proved nutrition for us. Reality sucks.

No complaints over your opinion. I can respect that. I originally started out thinking they would end up in the freezer but DH agreed that they were pets. So for me I have a stronger attachment to some of them than to my dogs. We are planning to move about an hour away from the closest city, between small towns so there will be plenty of land. Most of the houses we have looked at have between 10 and 20 acres. I plan on expanding our livestock once there: cows, pigs, "eating" chickens, etc. and growing food for them and us. It is a very agricultural based area all the houses for sale already have pasture fenced off and barns on the property. Having them will not be a problem at all.

 

[bobbi-j]

I have to agree with louie2037 - I would leave them home. Why? In short, because it would be the kindest thing to do for them. They wouldn't be stuffed in crates for 2 1/2 days (probably longer because you'll have to make frequent stops to care for them) in the back of a trailer, being terrified and stressed out for the entire trip. My animals' well-being is important enough to me to want them to be comfortable and happy. I'd rather sell or give them to someone who can give them a good home, and when I'm settled in my new place and am sure I have a place for them, I'd get new ones. This, of course, is all just my opinion. You have to do what you think is best for your flock.

 

[Traphill]

I would never move and not take all my animals....yes some stress but they will be fine.

 

[kodster]

I haven't moved with chickens, but I have made the trip from Louisville, KY, to south central North Dakota (October, 2010). First bit of advice? Don't make the move in late fall. EARLY fall should be the latest you make that move. Typically, first snowfall hits the middle of October (this year has been the exception... we had our first LIGHT dusting late last week, but typically, middle of October, and usually several inches for that first one... it melts off quickly, and then 2-4 weeks later, winter officially begins with the next snowfall and we don't see the ground again until middle of April, at the latest). I have spent my summers here, growing up on my grandparents' farm... born and raised in the San Francisco bay area. Then, all over the country... OK, TX, KY, NC, LA, TN, and now, returned to my maternal roots... North Dakota. So, I've a pretty good idea of what you're going to encounter.

There are no agricultural inspection sites in the states for non-commercial traffic (I'm also an over-the-road commercial truck driver, though I haven't driven commercially in nearly 3 years) between North Carolina and North Dakota. So, I can guarantee that you will not encounter any hindrances in that manner. North Dakota does not require NPIP, though it is available. The only time it's any concern is if you are going to show the chickens at the county/state fairs, and you can buy the certificates for $1 at the fair for each chicken.

I'd recommend what AZChiknGoddess said about getting the horse trailer and housing accommodations/feeding. That, likely, will be the most advantageous. You may lose 1-2 birds due to stress, but I'd say that would cull the weaker birds anyways... you'd likely lose them during the first winter here, anyways. Hopefully, your husband will have their new digs ready for them by the time they arrive, so that they can quickly acclimate. You will need supplemental heat, unless the coop is well-insulated, for them, during the winter. I have two space heaters that I keep for mine, when the temps get to zero or below, with wind chill factoring, and they do well.

What part of North Dakota are you moving to? I'm about an hour from any large city (inbetween Minot and Williston, on Hwy 2) in northwest North Dakota. And by any chance, is your first name Peggy? I know of a couple whose last name is Howard, from North Carolina, too... just curious to see if you're any relation, or them! LOL!

 

[The Howards]

I haven't moved with chickens, but I have made the trip from Louisville, KY, to south central North Dakota (October, 2010). First bit of advice? Don't make the move in late fall. EARLY fall should be the latest you make that move. Typically, first snowfall hits the middle of October (this year has been the exception... we had our first LIGHT dusting late last week, but typically, middle of October, and usually several inches for that first one... it melts off quickly, and then 2-4 weeks later, winter officially begins with the next snowfall and we don't see the ground again until middle of April, at the latest). I have spent my summers here, growing up on my grandparents' farm... born and raised in the San Francisco bay area. Then, all over the country... OK, TX, KY, NC, LA, TN, and now, returned to my maternal roots... North Dakota. So, I've a pretty good idea of what you're going to encounter.

There are no agricultural inspection sites in the states for non-commercial traffic (I'm also an over-the-road commercial truck driver, though I haven't driven commercially in nearly 3 years) between North Carolina and North Dakota. So, I can guarantee that you will not encounter any hindrances in that manner. North Dakota does not require NPIP, though it is available. The only time it's any concern is if you are going to show the chickens at the county/state fairs, and you can buy the certificates for $1 at the fair for each chicken.

I'd recommend what AZChiknGoddess said about getting the horse trailer and housing accommodations/feeding. That, likely, will be the most advantageous. You may lose 1-2 birds due to stress, but I'd say that would cull the weaker birds anyways... you'd likely lose them during the first winter here, anyways. Hopefully, your husband will have their new digs ready for them by the time they arrive, so that they can quickly acclimate. You will need supplemental heat, unless the coop is well-insulated, for them, during the winter. I have two space heaters that I keep for mine, when the temps get to zero or below, with wind chill factoring, and they do well.

What part of North Dakota are you moving to? I'm about an hour from any large city (inbetween Minot and Williston, on Hwy 2) in northwest North Dakota. And by any chance, is your first name Peggy? I know of a couple whose last name is Howard, from North Carolina, too... just curious to see if you're any relation, or them! LOL!

Nah, my first name is Amanda. DH's family is from Arkansas. No relations on his side here that I know of, just my family (McGee). Great to know about the travel requirements for them. Most all came from a hatchery originally but I have not completed anything at this point for NPIP. DH is currently living in Bismarck with a friend and working in Fort Yates at the college. My job, physical therapist assistant, will most likely be located in Bismarck where all the clinics and hospitals are located, So we are looking for something between the two locations. We are hoping for something with a few acres, preferably 5+. I want to have more animals and a super large garden, for both us and the critters. I have already planned on when the time comes to head up that way with everyone in the spring, after the last snow. That way everyone has time to acclimate to the new location/weather. It would be too much of a shock to their little systems to move them up there in the fall or winter, not to mention mine

. I can handle the hurricanes and our little attempts at winter fairly well, just not too sure about those wind chills and all that snow. Makes me cold thinking about it. Oh well, a new adventure. He sure seems to like it up there.

 

[kodster]

Nah, my first name is Amanda. DH's family is from Arkansas. No relations on his side here that I know of, just my family (McGee). Great to know about the travel requirements for them. Most all came from a hatchery originally but I have not completed anything at this point for NPIP. DH is currently living in Bismarck with a friend and working in Fort Yates at the college. My job, physical therapist assistant, will most likely be located in Bismarck where all the clinics and hospitals are located, So we are looking for something between the two locations. We are hoping for something with a few acres, preferably 5+. I want to have more animals and a super large garden, for both us and the critters. I have already planned on when the time comes to head up that way with everyone in the spring, after the last snow. That way everyone has time to acclimate to the new location/weather. It would be too much of a shock to their little systems to move them up there in the fall or winter, not to mention mine

. I can handle the hurricanes and our little attempts at winter fairly well, just not too sure about those wind chills and all that snow. Makes me cold thinking about it. Oh well, a new adventure. He sure seems to like it up there.

LOL! Well, welcome to North Dakota, Amanda, early! Good move on your part to move up here after the Spring thaw... that's what I would recommend. You and the babies will love the other seasons here... especially the summers. Not as humid as in the southern part of the country! Our fall has been mild, and longer than normal... not that I'm complaining, though. We're expecting our first serious snowfall on Monday, with an Artic Clipper... your DH may suddenly have a change of heart! If he (and eventually you) can get through the first winter here, you're officially 'NoDaks'! You'll likely be able to find plenty of acreage between Bismarck and Fort Yates. I used to live in Goodrich, which is in the center of the state, northeast of Bismarck, but now I've been in the northwestern part of the state, in the Bakken oilfields... I'm about 18 miles east of Zone3Dakota. That's where it's harder to find acreage for a reasonable amount of money... premium prices because housing is in short supply, thanks to the oil boom here. They're trying to catch up, since they had a slow start to it, due to the mindset that it wouldn't pan out to much of a boom, based on previous experiences in 1980... but they've proven themselves wrong... we have the Bakken, which is the top formation, and then the Three Rivers, which runs from the Rockies, eastward, and now, another one under that... oil will be here for a very long time. Which is good for the entire state!

 

[The Howards]

LOL! Well, welcome to North Dakota, Amanda, early! Good move on your part to move up here after the Spring thaw... that's what I would recommend. You and the babies will love the other seasons here... especially the summers. Not as humid as in the southern part of the country! Our fall has been mild, and longer than normal... not that I'm complaining, though. We're expecting our first serious snowfall on Monday, with an Artic Clipper... your DH may suddenly have a change of heart! If he (and eventually you) can get through the first winter here, you're officially 'NoDaks'! You'll likely be able to find plenty of acreage between Bismarck and Fort Yates. I used to live in Goodrich, which is in the center of the state, northeast of Bismarck, but now I've been in the northwestern part of the state, in the Bakken oilfields... I'm about 18 miles east of Zone3Dakota. That's where it's harder to find acreage for a reasonable amount of money... premium prices because housing is in short supply, thanks to the oil boom here. They're trying to catch up, since they had a slow start to it, due to the mindset that it wouldn't pan out to much of a boom, based on previous experiences in 1980... but they've proven themselves wrong... we have the Bakken, which is the top formation, and then the Three Rivers, which runs from the Rockies, eastward, and now, another one under that... oil will be here for a very long time. Which is good for the entire state!

I have been looking at land around the area and have found some lovely parcels at good prices. One thing I noticed is that north east of Bismarck the prices are much lower than south west or it. He sent me pics today of the snow that fell. Right now it didn't look too bad. Ironically, his school was closed because of the snow but they didn't notify him so he drove in anyway just to turn around and drive back. Even still he said the roads were manageable. I have heard that in some places prices were going up insanely high. We are seriously considering finding some land and just building a house on it. I have noticed that places sell rather quickly, especially when priced right. Around here they can sit on the market for a while even with a good price because there are so many available.